Woman jailed 18 months for Monaco police impersonation scam
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
A 20-year-old woman has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by Monaco's criminal court after defrauding two female residents, one of whom handed over gold jewellery.
Monaco's tribunal correctionnel handed down an immediate 18-month custodial sentence on Wednesday 5 August to a 20-year-old woman convicted of running a false-police officer scam against two residents over the preceding weekend. The scheme, a variant of the so-called "faux policier" fraud that has periodically targeted the Principality, involved the defendant posing as a law enforcement officer to gain the trust of her victims.
At least one of the two residents surrendered gold jewellery as a result of the deception before the woman was apprehended and brought before the court. The speed of the prosecution and the severity of the sentence reflect Monaco's consistent approach to crimes targeting residents on its streets.
Residents and visitors are reminded that genuine police officers in Monaco will never ask members of the public to hand over cash, jewellery or valuables as part of any verification procedure. Anyone approached in this way is urged to call 17 immediately to reach the Direction de la Sûreté Publique.